Editorial: Shocks keep coming on healthcare

28 January 2011 03:00 PM

THE shocking announcement that Aviva is to increase its health insurance premiums by 14pc across the board has hit families hard. Those hoping to overcome the recent VHI health insurance hike by shopping around for a cheaper subscription with a rival company now have a much more limited choice.

The news comes in a week when families are feeling the full effect of Budget cuts and counting every penny in their pay packets.

The company is blaming the Government rise in the cost of beds in public hospitals and the higher levy on medical insurance policies.

Is there no end to the rising costs for consumers? These health insurance price increases will undoubtedly drive more people away from private healthcare.

It will force them into the already overcrowded, creaking, public system which cannot be in anyone's best interests.